Living and Dying with Cancer
It’s Just Allergies – A little Cough
Memorial Weekend I found out that one of my closets, best friends of 25 years has been diagnosed with advanced stage 4 Lung Cancer. It all started with a little cough that got worse. She thought she had bronchitis at the worst …thought it was allergies and expected to come home with some antibiotics or something. Instead she heard that she has Lung Cancer. She is told it is terminal, it is in both lungs and in some of her bones. This is what we know so far. In hearing this, so many emotions came to surface; shock, disbelief, sadness, fear, curiosity and anger …
Shock – The news hit me so sudden, like a slap in the face. The news is quick but not painless, it took a minute or more to register but once I had, then my first reaction was to cry.
Sadness – I cried for only a second when I first heard, then collected myself …I would cry much more, later …I knew.
Disbelief – How could this be? She had undergone treatment, lost a breast and came out on the other side of life. She had beat it! I could not believe it was back. You see my friend had Breast Cancer 10 years ago and they got it! It wasn’t suppose to come back.
Anger – How is it that they did not know this! She has went for regular check-ups ever since the cancer was diagnosed the first time. Why were they not doing chest x-rays often? They have to know that breast cancer often spreads to the lungs. She was going up there and they were telling her everything was good at every appointment. How did they not spot anything before now?!
Fear – I am so afraid for her, knowing all that I know about Lung Cancer. This is far worse than the first time. It is terminal! I am scared because I know she will suffer and be in pain. I don’t know how much or what is to come …I am scared of that too, the unknown.
Curiosity – What exactly does this all mean? What exactly does it mean when they say terminal. I know, but somehow I need to know more, maybe I am looking for a different answer than what I thought …a better answer. What happens at stage 4? What is her prognosis? How far has it spread …so many questions. So I am reading and reading.
Test and more test
The diagnosis came from our local hospital and cancer center. But she was treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, for her Breast Cancer and has been going to them for check-ups ever since. She decided she would feel better going back there. I think she is looking for a different diagnosis, but also further information with a hospital she knows and trust.
It has taken a little over 2 weeks but finally they are running all test over again and adding more. Today she had a biopsy done on her lungs. The surgery went well. We were told by the nurse that it will take a while to get the results back. And now we wait and pray.
“Cancer is a word, not a sentence.” – John Diamond
Note: This is the start of a series of post that I will be writing on my friends journey with cancer. It is a way for me to get out my thoughts and feelings as they come to me.
I am so sorry to hear this. Cancer is an insidious, wretched thing. I lost my stepfather to it few years back, and my youngest son, 8 yrs old, is still battling leukemia. It’s cases like this that terrify me; my son is supposed to be cancer and treatment free in six months or so, after three and a half years of chemo. The thought that it will not be truly gone, that it may surface elsewhere, makes me sick.
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I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your stepfather. Yes, this cancer is a horrible thing …no words can describe. My heart goes out to you for your son. I am so sorry to hear that he has had to endure this. No one, but especially a child, should have to ever go through or know something like this. I pray that he will truly be free of this horrible disease soon. As for my friend, I try to understand why it came back. Why some people and not others …I dk. I know that she did not take care of herself afterwards …did not eat right and she drank etc. I don’t know if that really has any factor in to why. Thanks so much for the kind words and sharing.
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I will keep you in my thoughts 🙂 And thank you for all your kind words!
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Thank you and you are welcome 🙂
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I am so sorry to hear this about your friend. I lost a friend to lung cancer 19 months ago, so I understand.
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I am so sorry to hear of your friend as well. It seems like more and more it is around us. Affecting someone near and dear to us. Thanks so much for your kind words.
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Arlene I am so very sorry to hear of your friend’s diagnosis. I am sending positive energy and hugs across the miles.
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Thanks so much Sue! I really appreciate the kind words and positive thoughts.
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Prayers and best wishes are with you and your friend for positive outcome xoxo
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Thank you so much for the well wishes!
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Arl, I am not “liking” this post because of the topic, but because you are processing your thoughts about this heartbreaking news. I wish your friend the best in her journey, and you some comfort in knowing we are thinking of you.
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Thank you so much for your kind words and support.
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Very sorry to hear about your friend Arl .I really wish that she must not undergo heavy pain and let god’s grace be with her.
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Thank you so much for that!
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I am so sorry to hear your news Arl. Seeing someone you love suffer is not a nice thing to endure. I hope that some answers and comfort come from the second opinion your friend is seeking.
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Thank you so much Suz! I do too …hope to have answers soon …good or bad she needs to know.
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Yes she does. Sometimes uncertainty makes everything worse.
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I’m so sorry. I know how unbelievably painful this is. This is exactly what happened with a dear friend of mine a few years ago. She was at my bridal shower joking about her annoying cough and a few weeks later we found out it was stage 4 lung cancer. All you can do is support her, love her, be there for her, hold her hand, and be her friend. I am sending prayers your way.
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Thank you so much! I am so sorry to hear of your friend’s diagnosis as well. It seems that more and more it is happening to someone we love. May I ask, is your friend still with us?
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I wrote and discarded my response here several times bc I only want to send positivity your way. Sadly, no. She didn’t make it. But every person, body and situation is different. I truly hope that your friend pulls through this.
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I am so sorry …I was afraid that was the case. I am being positive for her …but I have read way to much and I’m afraid my friend my not have long either. But you are right, everyone is different. Thanks again for all your well wishes.
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Hugs. Xo
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Thank you so much!
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Big, big hugs and happy thoughts your way, Arlene. ❤
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Thank you so much Patty …I am afraid we will need them.
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❤
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